Everyone Can Save a Life

It is projected that one organ donor can save the lives of up to 8 critically ill people with vital organ donations, and improve the lives of up to 50 or more with tissue donations.

Photo: Ohio State Medical Center

The need for organ donations is great- the most recent estimate of patients on the organ waiting list is over 97,000. 17 people will die every day waiting for a transplant. Vital organs needed include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Donors may also give tissues such as skin, bone marrow, heart valves, or the eyes.

Photo: Transplant Week

This graph shows the sad reality of the shortage of organ donors. The red line at the top represents patients on a waiting list, the purple line at the bottom represents actual donors. The orange line above it represents transplants, which is higher because one donor can donate multiple organs for multiple transplants.

Photo: Amrita Health Journal

The following two pictures are of organ recipients, these people were given back their lives with a successful transplant. We know you don't need your organs after you have already passed. If the donation of your organs can save someone's life, then why not?
Photos: Trillium Gift of Life Network

All major religions- including Christianity, Judaisim, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikism, and Islam allow and accept organ donation as the ultimate act of charity. To become a donor in texas go to donatetexas.org and register online. Next print out or order a free donor card at organdonor.gov, sign it and keep it in your wallet. Lastly and most importantly inform your family of your wishes.

Being an organ donor has no cost physically, emotionally, or financially to you or to your family. This is the best and easiest way to help others and to literally save lives. Everyone can be a donor, and everyone can make a difference.

CREDITS:

Transplant Week: News About Transplantation. 22 Sep 2005. Medical Week, LLC.

Amrita Health Journal. June 1 2006. News Archive: Journal Archive 2006.

Trillium Gift of Life Network. Aug 8 2005. “Organ Donation” powered by Innovasium.

City News California. Apr 16 2007. “No Organ Donor Card…”

PEANUTS, Metlife 2007. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. NY, NY.

Transplant for Life. “Your Religion.” Sep 7 2007.

The Ottawa Hospital. July 12 2007. “Organ and Tissue Donation Program”.

“Decision Time.” iStockphoto 2007. iStock International Inc.

Department of State. Apr 12 2007. State of Michigan, michigan.gov.

Zeunik, Pat. “Organ Donation Saves the Nation.” Bloomington, IL.